Canucks Re-sign Boeser Seven-Year Deal in NHL Free Agency

The Vancouver Canucks secured a major commitment by re-signing forward Brock Boeser to a seven-year contract extension worth $7.25 million annually, ensuring his continued presence as a key player. This move came early in the NHL free agency period and signals the Canucks' intent to maintain core talent, with an eye toward also locking up Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers bolstered their defense by signing Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million deal, while the Florida Panthers retained key players like Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad on long-term contracts, emphasizing a culture of winning. The NHL free agent market was noted as thin, as many teams acted preemptively to keep top talent, resulting in fewer high-profile signings beyond these deals. Other notable transactions included the Vegas Golden Knights acquiring Mitch Marner via a sign-and-trade deal for eight years and $96 million, and the Carolina Hurricanes signing a promising defenseman to an eight-year contract to maintain roster stability. Overall, the early free agency period reflects strategic moves by teams to lock down cornerstone players ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.